Jobless rate in February was high in ValleySFlb

By DON SHILLING

shilling@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

The Mahoning Valley’s unemployment rate remained high in February.

The state said Friday that the combined rate for Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties last month was 14.1 percent, compared with 13 percent in February 2009.

Rates rose at the end of last year and the start of this year after dropping last summer.

Last month’s rate was almost even with January’s unemployment rate of 14.2 percent.

The severity of the recession was demonstrated Wednesday when the Mahoning County One-Stop employment agency had a jobs fair Wednesday at a Boardman bowling alley. More than 450 people turned out to apply for work as machinists, welders and forklift drivers and receive two free games of bowling.

As for individual counties, Mahoning County’s jobless rate last month held steady at 13.6 percent. It was 12.2 percent in February 2009.

Trumbull County’s rate increased last month to 14.5 percent from 14.3 percent in January. It was 13.9 percent in February 2009.

Columbiana County’s rate last month fell to 14.5 percent from 14.9 percent in January. It was 13 percent in February 2009.

Youngstown and Warren each have had the highest unemployment rate in the state in particular months over the past year, but that was not the case last month.

Youngstown recorded a 14.5 percent jobless rate in February, while Warren posted a 14.1 percent rate. Other cities with high rates last month included Zanesville at 14.9 percent; Sandusky, Barberton and Canton, all at 14.6 percent; and Trotwood and Lima, both at 14.2 percent.

The statewide rate last month was 11.8 percent, the same as January and up from 10.1 percent in February 2009.